Chunky Carrot & Squash Soup with Coconut & Red Chilli Flakes

05 September 2009

Butternut squash are starting to appear on the shelves again, so I took one of these little lovelies home. What better way to use the squash than to make soup and let's face it, it is definitely soup weather here in Scotland just now. I have given up on waiting for summer to arrive.

Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Saute the onion, garlic and ginger until softened.

Next add the carrots, squash and potatoes and saute for 5 - 10 minutes before adding the herbs and spices.

Pour in the stock and cook covered at a simmer for 30 minutes.

It's ready once the vegetable are tender.

Whizz up a little of the soup, but leave enough vegetables whole, for a chunky soup. Stir through the coconut milk and season to taste.

Serves 6-8 (well you always need left-over soup for the next day, when it tastes even better)

I thought this soup would last for three days at least, but Graham enjoyed it so much, that he kept going back for second helpings. He loved the kick from the chilli flakes and the creaminess from the coconut milk.

I usually use fresh chillies in my cooking, but my chilli plant is not co-operating, so I turn to chilli flakes for the heat in this soup. They are such a great store cupboard standby. I bought my chilli flakes from an Indian supplier, which I would recommend, as you get so much more for your money. These Indian chilli flakes are made by crushing the whole dried chilli as well as the seeds and are made from bird's eye chillies, which are really hot, so be careful as you add them, until you know their strength. If you want a slightly milder chilli flake, go for a Greek or Turkish variety.

What a yummy comforting soup. The combination of carrot, squash and coconut milk sounds irresistible. I've been eyeing the butternut squash the last couple of times I've gone to the market but was waiting to pick some up until the weather cooled down a bit.

Hi Johanna, You are lucky to have butternut squash all year around, although I kind of like it coming along in autumn. It is something to look forward too.

Hi Andrea, unfortunately, it has too :(

That was funny Lynn, although a bit too near the truth :)

I wish I could be content with the cooler weather like you Lo, but I just long for some sunshine. It is like an ache within me. I suppose the coller weather would be ok, if it didn't come along with near constant rain.

Hi Katerine, yes, time for a change of menus :)

Hi MSJVD (wish I knew what that is short for), Nice to meet you :)

Hi Alane, yes cilantro is the same as coriander, just a different name :)

I've been experimenting more lately with coconut milk. This recipe sounds interesting, with the coconut milk, chili flakes, and squash all having distinctive flavors. Good luck with the submission, I'll be trying this out in the next few weeks.

I love reading comments, so thank you for taking the time to leave one. Unfortunately, I'm bombarded with spam, so I've turned on comment moderation. I'll publish your comments as soon as I can and respond to them. Don't panic, they will disappear when you hit publish. Jac x